NFL Draft intel: Risers include Ohio State WR Carnell Tate, Oklahoma DL R Mason Thomas

Thomas injured his right hamstring on the 71-yard TD, forcing him to miss the rest of Oklahoma's 33-27 win over Tennessee. He finished with one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Per On3's George Stoia III, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables doesn't expect the D-lineman to "miss much time, if any, this season."

Thomas (6-foot-2, 249 pounds) lacks ideal size for an NFL edge-rusher but could still be a Day 2 pick. Tankathon's latest mock draft has the New England Patriots selecting him with the 62nd pick in the second round.

Georgia WR Zachariah Branch

In a 24-20 Week 10 win over rival Florida, Branch had 10 receptions for a season-high 112 receiving yards. Credit the performance to his excellent practice habits. 

"When he goes to practice, he practices for real," Georgia HC Kirby Smart said postgame. "We show players [linebacker] CJ Allen and Zach Branch and say, 'You want to play good? Practice really hard. It pays off [and makes] your conditioning levels high.'"

Branch's work ethic will score points with scouts, who should now be taking notice of the 5-foot-10, 180-pound wideout. Over his past three games, he has 240 receiving yards. 

"He's so [darn] quick from the slot and it's hard to limit his separation underneath if you're a DB in man coverage," wrote The Ringer's Todd McShay in a story published Sunday. "And once it's in his hands, Branch is a frightening player to track down in space. I think he's a second-rounder."

Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez

Rodriguez and fellow LB David Bailey are valuable pieces for a Texas Tech defense that has the No. 9 Red Raiders (8-1) in College Football Playoff contention. 

"The top NFL prospect on the Red Raiders' defense is David Bailey, who will be a first-round pick," wrote The Athletic's Dane Brugler in a story published Sunday. "Rodriguez isn't quite on that level, but he is a much better prospect than scouts thought over the summer." 

The LB uses the "Peanut Punch," the move popularized by star Chicago Bears cornerback Charles "Peanut" Tillman, to force fumbles. It's clearly working. Through nine games, Rodriguez (6-foot-1, 230 pounds) has forced an FBS-leading seven fumbles, recovering one. 

ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit has said the LB belongs in the Heisman conversation, but don't count on him winning it. Instead, he could capture the Lombardi Award as the best LB or lineman in college football. That would help him keep climbing boards.

South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers

Sellers (6-foot-3, 240 pounds) was once viewed as a potential QB1 in the draft. But he didn't look NFL-ready in a 30-14 Week 10 loss to Ole Miss, completing 16-of-30 passes for 180 yards and one TD and tossing two interceptions. 

"If he does declare for the 2026 draft, Sellers will be among the most debated prospects in the class," wrote ESPN's Jordan Reid in a story published Sunday. "Right now, Sellers looks more like a Day 2 prospect." 

Sellers should consider returning to school for the 2026 season to improve as a passer. Through nine games, he ranks 14th among 21 eligible SEC QBs in completion percentage (61.7%).